Hello everyone! How are you doing? I hope you are all fine.
Chapter 69 is here, concluding the Atlas/Gloomharrow arc.
I hope you enjoy it and I hope you enjoyed the entire arc as well.
Thanks once more for reading/ following/ favoring the story through another arc. You are all awesome!
I will see you all next week! Until then have fun and be well!
March 10th, 86
Atlas National Airport
"Yes, Madam. As I said- please stop shouting at me!" Ruby's voice was heard across the spacious, yet almost devoid of people, gate of flight 34 to New Vale City.
The girl was walking in circles, quite a few meters away from her friends while talking on the phone to her Commander. "It is not our fault there is a delay on the flight. I know we were supposed to take the previous one…"
Blake and Weiss turned their heads, watching her getting chewed out with a mixture of discomfort and dread. Next to them, Alex and Yang were soundly sleeping, spread over a few chairs.
Albus, on the other hand, was sitting as silent as usual, playing a mobile game on his scroll with his headphones on, occasionally staring at the hyperactive brunette.
"Honestly, I don't know if it is our fault or not" the pale girl stared at Blake. "As most likely Goodwitch is saying to Ruby, losing our arranged flight because those three slept in is kind of our fault don't you think?"
"Yes, I agree. But it is so like us; lose a flight and have the next one get delayed for two hours" the ex-heiress let her chin rest on her right hand taking a half-bored expression.
"That said I can't blame Goodwitch for being angry. We have info from CC, your grandfather's notes, our own experiences in all 3 Eldergrimm cases, plus the results from Dr. Oobleck and the lab" Blake noted.
Weiss nodded in agreement "not to mention Sun's investigation on Cherry, Lumia, Neptune and Erik looking at Merlot Industries' old files and Velvet's assessment of Jaune's condition."
"If you combine all these, us losing the plane and forcing Vale Council to postpone our meeting for two days sounds a little inappropriate I would have to say" the cat girl finished her thought.
"Hmm, speaking of council" Weiss sat up "hasn't Ms. Hill and Ilia's press conference already started? We can-" "-streaming it already, ladies"
Without them notice, Yang had already gotten up, picked her scroll out and put it in front of the two other girls, pleasantly squeezing Weiss as she snuggled in her arms.
In the monitor, Robyn Hill was standing on a podium, her usual serious demeanor etched on her face, as she had her hair let down and had replaced her huntress clothes for a purple pantsuit with a white shirt.
"My God, she looks ridiculous" Yang blurted. "I… can't disagree with that to be honest" Weiss stared at the woman in shock. "This sort of dress code is so not like her" Blake chuckled.
"And she is not the only one" a metal finger pointed at the bottom left corner of the screen, where a familiar faunus was standing, clearly uncomfortable with the whole situation.
Ilia was dressed in the Happy Huntresses' formal attire; a blue winter uniform with pants and an open jacket with a red blouse inside. Her weapon was strapped on her belt and she wore soft, brown boots.
If the cat girl wanted to be honest the attire really suited her. But at the moment, Blake was too preoccupied deciding whether she should feel sorry for or laugh at the poor chameleon girl who was almost as red as her blouse, trying to keep as stiff a posture as possible.
"Is Ilia going to be ok?" Yang asked. "She looks really uncomfortable and to be fair I am not sure if working for Atlas is exactly a good thing for her." Weiss and Blake both sighed. "Well…" the faunus girl started.
Earlier today, Matthew Moose's house
"Come again?" Blake asked in shock, her yellow eyes wide open at her childhood friend. Ilia was seated opposite her and Weiss in the middle of the living room, 3 hot cups of tea in front of them.
"I decided to accept Ms. Hill's offer and join the Happy Huntresses" she said again, visibly deterred by the reaction- not that she didn't expect it of course.
"I will be attending the press conference she will be giving later today so that's why I wanted to talk to you" the chameleon girl explained. "I wanted to see the others too, though. Where are they?"
"The dolt sisters and Alex are still asleep" Weiss' eyes narrowed. "Mr. Moose and Albus are outside gathering some wood. They should be back in a while, so I think you will be able to bid them farewell at least."
"I see… well" Ilia sipped some tea to clear her throat "the reason I am staying behind is what happened in Gloomharrow" she finally said. "In regards to how little help I was to all of you actually."
Blake and Weiss shared a confused look, giving her the opportunity to elaborate "I was unconscious half of the time- I couldn't help you fight Fenris and I was a burden while you took on the Morkvind."
Ilia's head hang and her skin turned a little orange-red with shame. "I want to be of use- I want to be able to help people the right way. And by being stationed here as a member of the Huntresses I maybe, just maybe, be able to make up for my worthlessness back then."
"Ilia…" Blake whispered. "Well" Weiss put down her own cup and fixed the chameleon girl with a serious stare. "If this is how you feel and how you believe you should act, I have no right to object to it, Ilia" she said.
"However" Ilia blushed as she saw the pale girl's lips curl into a tiny and refined smile "don't forget your devotion and decisiveness are the only reason Blake and Yang are alive and with us right now."
"I…" she wanted to object, but the ex-heiress' smile was so brilliant, so calming… the maroon-headed woman turned to her fellow faunus for support, but was met with a firm and gentle nod instead.
Weiss got up and straightened her skirt "to me; no, to all of us, this is much more important than the killing of any Grimm or the defeat of a psychotic bandit."
"I…" she hid her fiercely red face in her palms "thank you" she barely managed to whisper after a few seconds. The white girl hummed in a satisfied manner and started walking away.
"Are you going to wake them up?" Blake asked her. "Well, yes. Catching our plane aside" she rolled her eyes to put some emphasis in it "those three morons should at least have the decency to see Ilia out."
"Yeah I remember that" Yang commented after Blake finished retelling today morning's events. "That explains why someone was really eager to kick me out of bed" she kissed Weiss' cheek.
"Well, as a matter of fact-" "Councilor Hill!" the loud voice of a reporter coming from Yang's scroll cut Weiss off. "What about the new species of Grimm Specialist Ebi of the AceOps announced was found in Aegis?"
"Oh, they are going public with it?" Blake expressed her confusion. "I didn't see Clover's interview yesterday, but from the looks of it General Albion decided to cover it up as a new species of Grimm huh?"
"Well, in my opinion it is better than Ozpin's plan of keeping things close to heart" Yang hissed. "As if there is any debate on that" Weiss commented.
"Thank you about the question- it is a very important one" Robyn Hill answered, tapping her fingers on the podium.
"It is as Specialist Ebi announced; the incident that claimed Sophia Carmel's life might have been instigated by the Blood Moon Company, but it led to the discovery of a new, unregistered Grimm species.
However, as much ominous as the appearance of an unknown monster may sound, I am happy to inform you all that measures have been taken against it from the Atlas Council- both its containment inside the forest and the gathering of important information about it.
On that matter, I would like to have you all meet Ms. Ilia Amitola, the newest member of the Happy Huntresses" The camera switched to the chameleon girl who was trying her best to prevent her skin turning even redder at any moment, bowing as the audience clapped in excitement.
"She is going to be the captain of a small scouting team that will work along with Mr. Mathew Moose, a freelance native of Aegis.
Their task is going to be monitoring of the new Grimm's containment, as well as keeping Aegis forest and Everfrost peak in isolation. As of this moment, the place is considered a 0-type threat zone."
"That may truly be for the best" Blake commented "and if Ilia is the one leading the security teams, I can trust things to go as well as possible."
"Yeah" a slightly joking voice sounded from behind. "Except for my peace and quiet that is" Mathew Moose, dressed in his heavy winter clothes, walked slowly towards them.
"Hey there!" Yang jumped up to go and shake the tall faunus' hand. "How did you pass the gate check?" Weiss raised an eyebrow. "I simply showed the 'honorary huntsman' badge Ms. Hill gave me" he replied.
"That is a cool thing- I want one too" Ruby, visibly dejected, walked to the man and even Albus and a drowsy Alex moved towards them. "Ms. Goodwitch was really mad; we may have to look for a new job soon."
"Heh" Yang scratched her head in discomfort and even Blake and Weiss felt a little chill down their spines. "Is your commander that scary?" the man asked them, seeing their reactions.
"It's more that she is someone we truly respect and appreciate. One we don't want to disappoint if we can avoid it" Albus explained to the man.
"But meanwhile, we know she has no qualms about flinging us to the forest in a fit of rage when we are going way too overboard with our antics" Alex yawned.
"She sounds like a terrifying woman all right. But then again, I should expect nothing less from the one who commands the team that saved Remnant" he chuckled.
"As for that" Albus tried his best to not laugh "I still can't believe it took you so long to realize who Ruby is." "And I was really happy for that" said girl commented "I am exhausted dealing with-"
"ATTENTION ALL PASSENGERS!" the speakers boomed; cutting off any remark Ruby tried to phrase.
"FLIGHT 34 FOR NEW VALE CITY WILL DEPART IN 30 MINUTES. PLEASE, PROCEED TO BOARDING THE PLANE VIA GATE D! WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE!"
"And that is our cue to leave" Yang grabbed both her and Weiss' bags. Ruby took one step forward and hugged the man. Without any restrain, he hugged her back, making everyone around them smile.
"Thanks for everything" she said after they broke the hug. "We owe you so many things, I can't even list them" Albus smiled. "We have to somehow repay you one day" Alex added.
"If you want to, just pay me a visit next time you visit Atlas" he replied. "Judging from what is going to happen the next months, your friend will be around as well."
"It's a deal then!" Ruby giggled before all of them grabbed their luggage and passed the gate, waving at the person whose hospitality had been so generous during that last month.
"Farewell Mr. Moose!" Weiss screamed as they moved towards the plane. "And farewell Atlas! Hope you don't miss us that much!" Yang added to her fiancee's voice.
Matthew stared at the girls boarding along with a few, considerably less noisy passengers. Then, a few seconds after the plane started getting off, his scroll rang.
"Hello? Moose here" he replied. "It's me, Ilia" the girl's voice was heard from the other side. "Don't you have call ID or something?" she asked him.
"I may be familiar with how to use scrolls and appliances, but never felt the need to check their functions like that." "Fuah, remind me to show you at some point" she exhaled. "Anyway; did I miss them?"
"They just left" he answered. "I see… if I knew they would have missed the flight I would have ran to them as soon as my part here was done" she said with a tinge or regret in her voice.
"Don't fret, girl. You will see them at some point; friendships like this are not easy to break despite the distance." "Hmmm… you may be right" she replied, not totally convinced. "Is this why you called me?"
"Ah, right. I am going with Ms. Hill to Barney's. We are having lunch to meet my new team and thought it would be a good idea for you to come as well."
"Ah, and here I was hoping to spend a lazy afternoon fishing at home" he faked discomfort. "I am coming girl. Hope the food there is good."
"Great!" she replied. "But please, no 'girl.' Feel free to call me Ilia, Mr. Moose!" He blinked for a moment and then chuckled in an amused manner. "Fine by me; but no 'Mister'. Just call me Matthew, Ilia."
-o—
"So, Carmel is dead" Professor Azure's image inside the scroll said. "Exactly- and since Dahlias has been dead for quite some time as well, that means we effectively lost two people in Atlas" Bistre replied.
"Well, judging from what your new comrades have told us, Maize, it would seem Dahlias was never one of us to begin with" the professor stated.
"Indeed" the third and final member of the conversation spoke. "Fenris played us like fools for quite some time and Sophia compromised all of us by hiding Alginos' location and trying to keep it for herself" he said.
"Losing someone as opportunistic as Sophia is not a sad result" the brown-haired man replied "but her skills in amassing and progressing information were incredibly valuable- that is a considerable setback."
"A pity about the loss of Fenris, too. He would be an excellent ally to our cause should he had decided to join us" Glaucous followed. "Not to mention the interesting concept of a Grimm devouring another one."
"I was sure it would pick your interest, Professor" Maize acknowledged. "However, at this point I would like to underline that completing the concoction is more important than ever. So, let it be for now."
"Even if I could, passing by Atlas' guarded territory would be almost impossible for me" he rubbed his nose. "But on another matter; why aren't Alizar and Cherry present?" he asked.
"I am here Professor" the younger man's voice sounded from Maize's line. "I simply let Mr. Goldenrod talk to not overflow the connection; we are lacking CC's quality systems at this point."
Both Azure and Bistre noted with extremely interest the calm and quite more reserved manner Alizar spoke with, before the tall man replied as well "Cherry is out of reach right now, but checked with me yesterday."
"Well that is acceptable, all things considered" blue eyes blinked. "Are you going to search for Sophia and Dahlias' replacements Bistre? It's been quite some time since we were missing two people at once."
"I will; but before that I think something has to be done with those huntresses who are starting to seriously mess around with us" he said, earning two pairs of raised eyebrows "but I will need some time."
"Wait" Maize stopped him. "Are you willing to go through with your plan? It is too soon for that!" Not even raising his mellow voice one bit, Bistre replied.
"And this is why I will use the weakest of them all for the plan. It will take some time to find it and set the stage, but it will without fail end team RWBY. Or at least give them more urgent matters to deal with than hunting you three down."
"Speaking of that" Azure interjected "is there a possibility that I can borrow either Alizar or Cherry's services until the time comes?"
"I am afraid it's impossible for me" the boy's voice replied. "I am really close to pinpointing Tephrus' tomb." Maize nodded "and we will start the awakening progress as soon as he does so" he added.
"Cherry is also in an important task of tracking down the Elders" Bistre rubbed his chin "what brought this request, Professor?" The turquoise haired man exhaled deeply before answering.
"Someone hacked my old data files a few days ago. There was nothing important inside, of course, since I keep all the essential information in a standalone PC in my lab, but it still worries me."
"How so" Maize urged him to continue. "I keep all my previous work places' accounts active in order to lure anyone from my past businesses who wanted to hack me there and become aware of their intentions."
"A sound strategy" Bistre commented. "However, this time, the files hacked were the ones I had from Merlot Industries- a place that no one should be able to connect with me."
He stopped for a moment to bite his lips "The only files I left behind with my name in them are in the company's server, accessible only from Dr. Merlot himself, as he requested."
"Or from a huntsman who can find the server in Mt. Glenn and be skilled enough to crack it open and trace you from there" the brown bearded man continued following Azure's train of thought.
"Lumia Starlight" Maize, a stern and determined expression on his face, suddenly announced. "Who is that?" Alizar's voice was heard asking.
"I met her due to my… unique circumstances" the tanned man traced his cheek with a muscular hand "she is a close friend of team RWBY and an immensely skilled computer technician- as well as the only one Maiden who survived the war" he explained.
"That's bad" Azure commented, now slightly anxious "if we are right, it means team RWBY is coming after me- it shall be a matter of time before they find this place. This is why I want help" he firmly stated.
"It seems we are all in a pinch. Fine" the tall man's image moved a little "I shall immediately dispatch Cherry at your location, Professor. I think she, along with your hideout's natural defenses, will be plenty enough."
-o—
The call ended and Maize turned around to check the expression on his three comrades' faces. Robert Ink and Stella Taupe were really skeptical while Alizar was trying his best to contain his frustration.
"It looks like the situation has started getting out of your control" the warthog faunus grumbled. "Instead of hunters, your little group is turning into prey."
"Sending one woman against RWBY? Are you sure you people can hold your own part of the deal, Goldenrod? Do you really trust your little fox that much?" Stella Taupe smirked at the man.
"She won't be able to take them on" Alizar answered instead, making Maize stare at him in interest. "In that case, maybe we should be the ones to go after them instead" she giggled.
"As if" he scoffed "Cherry is much stronger than you two combined, you fools." "What did you say human?" Robert stood up, fuming from his nose.
"I merely stated the truth" he answered. "Cherry is much stronger than you, but team RWBY is much stronger than her. So, just help us see our plan through and sooner or later, team RWBY will come to us."
Both faunus scoffed back at him and turned around "we will be outside; call us when the next mission begins" the owl-woman spat.
After the door was closed, Maize turned to Alizar "I am impressed; I thought that you, of all people, would be annoyed at Bistre or Glaucous fighting RWBY despite you training that hard to take them on."
The boy combed his vivid red hair with his calloused fingers "RWBY will not fall to Azure or Woodrock- they underestimate them too much. And they are wasting Cherry's potential using her like hired muscle."
"Oh? And why do you think this is what's going to happen?" the older man asked, half amused. "Because I have fought all of them" Alizar stared at him "and I know firsthand how much of a monster each of those five women is."
P.S I asked it already, but I would love to hear which arc between Gloomharrow and Grimmwater you liked the most. Thanks in advance everyone!